title: The protective effects of bilberry and lingonberry extracts against UV light-induced retinal photoreceptor cell damage in vitro.
abstract: Bilberry extract (B-ext) and lingonberry extract (L-ext) are currently used as health supplements. We investigated the protective mechanisms of the B-ext and L-ext against ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced retinal photoreceptor cell damage. Cultured murine photoreceptor (661W) cells were exposed to UVA following treatment with B-ext and L-ext and their main constituents (cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, trans-resveratrol, and procyanidin). B-ext, L-ext, and constituents improved cell viability and suppressed ROS generation. Phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and protein kinase B (Akt) were analyzed by Western blotting. B-ext and cyanidin inhibited phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and B-ext also inhibited phosphorylation of JNK by UVA. L-ext, trans-resveratrol, and procyanidin alleviated the reduction of phosphorylated Akt levels by UVA. Finally, a cotreatment with B-ext and L-ext showed an additive effect on cell viability. Our findings suggest that both B-ext and L-ext endow protective effects against UVA-induced retinal damage.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University , Gifu 501-1196, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenjirou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsuruma
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Mamoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kakino
authors.forename: Saori
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Masamitsu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimazawa
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D029800:Vaccinium myrtillus / Q000737:chemistry*; D029801:Vaccinium vitis-idaea / Q000737:chemistry*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases